Inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-γ inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-γ-(“IFN-γ”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-γ production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis- and interferon-γ-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds of this invention.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuing application of co-pending International patent application PCT/US97/22289, filed Dec. 5, 1997, which claims priority from United States provisional patent application No. 60/053,001, filed Jun. 26, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of United States provisional patent application No. 60/042,660, filed Apr. 4, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of United States provisional patent application No. 60/032,792, filed Dec. 6, 1996.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (“ICE”). This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1-(“IL-1”), apoptosis-, interferon-γ inducing factor-(IGIF), interferon-γ-(“IFN-γ”) mediated diseases, excess dietary alcohol intake diseases, or viral diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and decreasing IGIF production and IFN-γ production and methods for treating interleukin-1, apoptosis- and interferon-γ-mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention. This invention also relates to methods of preparing the compounds of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interleukin 1 (“IL-1”) is a major pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory protein that stimulates fibroblast differentiation and proliferation, the production of prostaglandins, collagenase and phospholipase by synovial cells and chondrocytes, basophil and eosinophil degranulation and neutrophil activation. Oppenheim, J. H. et al., Immunology Today, 7, pp. 45-56 (1986). As such, it is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic and acute inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis, IL-1 is both a mediator of inflammatory symptoms and of the destruction of the cartilage proteoglycan in afflicted joints. Wood, D. D. et al., Arthritis Rheum. 26, p. 975, (1983); Pettipher, E. J. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71, p. 295 (1986); Arend, W. P. and Dayer, J. M., Arthritis Rheum. 38, p. 151 (1995). IL-1 is also a highly potent bone resorption agent. Jandiski, J. J., J. Oral Path 17, p. 145 (1988); Dewhirst, F. E. et al., J. Immunol. 8, p. 2562 1985). It is alternately referred to as “osteoclast activating factor” in destructive bone diseases such as osteoarthritis and multiple myeloma. Bataille, R. et al., Int. J. Clin. Lab. Res. 21(4), p. 283 (1992). In certain proliferative disorders, such as acute myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma, IL-1 can promote tumor cell growth and adhesion. Bani, M. R., J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 83, p. 123 (1991); Vidal-Vanaclocha, F., Cancer Res. 54, p. 2667 (1994). In these disorders, IL-1 also stimulates production of other cytokines such as IL-6, which can modulate tumor development (Tartour et al., Cancer Res. 54, p. 6243 (1994). IL-1 is predominantly produced by peripheral blood monocytes as part of the inflammatory response and exists in two distinct agonist forms, IL-1α and IL-1β. Mosely, B. S. et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 84, pp.4572-4576 (1987); Lonnemann, G. et al., Eur.J. Immunol., 19, pp.1531-1536 (1989).

IL-1β is synthesized as a biologically inactive precursor, pIL-1β. pIL-1β lacks a conventional leader sequence and is not processed by a signal peptidase. March, C. J., Nature, 315, pp.641-647 (1985). Instead, pIL-1β is cleaved by interleukin-1β converting enzyme (“ICE”) between Asp-116 and Ala-117 to produce the biologically active C-terminal fragment found in human serum and synovial fluid. Sleath, P. R. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, pp.14526-14528 (1992); Howard, A. D. et al., J. Immunol., 147, pp.2964-2969 (1991). ICE is a cysteine protease localized primarily in monocytes. It converts precursor IL-1β to the mature form. Black, R. A. et al., FEBS Lett., 247, pp.386-390 (1989); Kostura, M. J. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 86, pp.5227-5231 (1989). Processing by ICE is also necessary for the transport of mature IL-1β through the cell membrane.

ICE, or its homologs, also appears to be involved in the regulation of programmed cell death or apoptosis. Yuan, J. et al., Cell, 75, pp.641-652 (1993); Miura, M. et al., Cell, 75, pp. 653-660 (1993); Nett-Fiordalisi, M. A. et al., J. Cell Biochem., 17B, p.117 (1993). In particular, ICE or ICE homologs are thought to be associated with the regulation of apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Marx, J. and Baringa, M. Science, 259, pp.760-762 (1993); Gagliardini, V. et al., Science, 263, pp.826-828 (1994). Therapeutic applications for inhibition of apoptosis may include treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, spinal atrophy, and aging.

ICE has been demonstrated to mediate apoptosis (programmed cell death) in certain tissue types. Steller, H., Science, 267, p. 1445 (1995); Whyte, M. and Evan, G., Nature, 376, p. 17 (1995); Martin, S. J. and Green, D. R., Cell, 82, p. 349 (1995); Alnemri, E. S., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, p. 4312 (1995); Yuan, J. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol., 7, p. 211 (1995). A transgenic mouse with a disruption of the ICE gene is deficient in Fas-mediated apoptosis (Kuida, K. et al., Science 267, p. 2000 (1995)). This activity of ICE is distinct from its role as the processing enzyme for pro-IL1β. It is conceivable that in certain tissue types, inhibition of ICE may not affect secretion of mature IL-1β, but may inhibit apoptosis.

Enzymatically active ICE has been previously described as a heterodimer composed of two subunits, p20 and p10 (20 kDa and 10 kDa molecular weight, respectively). These subunits are derived from a 45 kDa proenzyme (p45) by way of a p30 form, through an activation mechanism that is autocatalytic. Thornberry, N. A. et al., Nature, 356, pp.768-774 (1992). The ICE proenzyme has been divided into several functional domains: a prodomain (p14), a p22/20 subunit, a polypeptide linker and a p10 subunit. Thornberry et al., supra; Casano et al., Genomics, 20, pp. 474-481 (1994).

Full length p45 has been characterized by its cDNA and amino acid sequences. PCT patent applications WO 91/15577 and WO 94/00154. The p20 and p10 cDNA and amino acid sequences are also known. Thornberry et al., supra. Murine and rat ICE have also been sequenced and cloned. They have high amino acid and nucleic acid sequence homology to human ICE. Miller, D. K. et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 696, pp. 133-148 (1993); Molineaux, S. M. et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 90, pp. 1809-1813 (1993). The three-dimensional structure of ICE has been determined at atomic resolution by X-ray crystallography. Wilson, K. P. et al., Nature, 370, pp. 270-275 (1994). The active enzyme exists as a tetramer of two p20 and two p10 subunits.

Additionally, there exist human homologs of ICE with sequence similarities in the active site regions of the enzymes. Such homologs include TX (or ICE_(rel-II) or ICH-2) (Faucheu, et al., EMBO J., 14, p. 1914 (1995); Kamens J., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, p. 15250 (1995); Nicholson et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270 p. 15870 (1995)), TY (or ICE_(rel-III)) (Nicholson et al., J. Biol. Chem., 270, p. 15870 (1995); ICH-1 (or Nedd-2) (Wang, L. et al., Cell, 78, p. 739 (1994)), MCH-2, (Fernandes-Alnemri, T. et al., Cancer Res., 55, p. 2737 (1995), CPP32 (or YAMA or apopain) (Fernandes-Alnemri, T. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269, p. 30761 (1994); Nicholson, D. W. et al., Nature, 376, p. 37 (1995)), and CMH-1 (or MCH-3) (Lippke et al., J. Biol. Chem., (1996); Fernandes-Alnemri, T. et al., Cancer Res., (1995)). Each of these ICE homologs, as well as ICE itself, is capable of inducing apoptosis when overexpressed in transfected cell lines. Inhibition of one or more of these homologs with the peptidyl ICE inhibitor Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone results in inhibition of apoptosis in primary cells or cell lines. Lazebnik et al., Nature, 371, p. 346 (1994). The compounds described herein are also capable of inhibiting one or more homologs of ICE. Therefore, these compounds may be used to inhibit apoptosis in tissue types that contain ICE homologs.

Interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF) is an approximately 18-kDa polypeptide that stimulates T-cell production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). IGIF is produced by activated Kupffer cells and macrophages in vivo and is exported out of such cells upon endotoxin stimulation. Thus, a compound that decreases IGIF production would be useful as an inhibitor of such T-cell stimulation which in turn would reduce the levels of IFN-γ production by those cells.

IFN-γ is a cytokine with immunomodulatory effects on a variety of immune cells. In particular, IFN-γ is involved in macrophage activation and Th1 cell selection (Belardelli, F. APMIS, 103, p. 161 (1995)). IFN-γ exerts its effects in part by modulating the expression of genes through the STAT and IRF pathways Schindler, C. and Darnell, J. E. Ann. Rev. Biochem., 64, p. 621 (1995); Taniguchi, T. J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol., 121, p. 516 (1995)).

Mice lacking IFN-γ or its receptor have multiple defects in immune cell function and are resistant to endotoxic shock (Huang, S. et al., Science, 259, p.1742 (1993); Dalton, D. et al., Science, 259, p. 1739 (1993); Car, B. D. et al., J. Exp. Med., 179, p.1437 (1994)). Along with IL-12, IGIF appears to be a potent inducer of IFN-yγ production by T cells (Okamura, H. et al., Infection and Immunity, 63, p.3966 (1995); H. Okamura et al., Nature, 378, p.88 (1995); Ushio, S. et al., J. Immunol., 156, p.4274 (1996)).

IFN-γ has been shown to contribute to the pathology associated with a variety of inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune disorders and diseases. Thus, compounds capable of decreasing IFN-γ production would be useful to ameliorate the effects of IFN-γ related pathologies.

IGIF is synthesized as a precursor protein, called “pro-IGIF”. Recently, ICE and other members of the ICE/CED-3 family have been linked to the conversion of pro-IGIF to IGIF or to IFN-γ production in vivo (see PCT patent application WO 97/22619, which is incorporated herein by reference).

Accordingly, compositions and methods capable of regulating the conversion of pro-IGIF to IGIF would be useful for decreasing IGIF and IFN-γ production in vivo, and thus for ameliorating the detrimental effects of these proteins which contribute to human disorders and diseases.

ICE inhibitors represent a class of compounds useful for the control of inflammation or apoptosis or both. Peptide and peptidyl inhibitors of ICE have been described. PCT patent applications WO 91/15577; WO 93/05071; WO 93/09135; WO 93/14777 and WO 93/16710; and European patent application 0 547 699. Such peptidyl inhibitors of ICE have been observed to block the production of mature IL-1β in a mouse model of inflammation (vide infra) and to suppress growth of leukemia cells in vitro (Estrov et al., Blood 84, 380a (1994)). However, due to their peptidic nature, such inhibitors are typically characterized by undesirable pharmacological properties, such as poor cellular penetration and cellular activity, poor oral absorption, poor stability and rapid metabolism. Plattner, J. J. and D. W. Norbeck, in Drug Discovery Technologies, Clark, C. R. and Moos, W. H. Eds. (Ellis Horwood, Chichester, England, 1990), pp.92-126. This has hampered their development into effective drugs.

Non-peptidyl compounds have also been reported to inhibit ICE in vitro. PCT patent application WO 95/26958; U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,400; Dolle et al., J. Med. Chem., 39, pp. 2438-2440 (1996). However, it is not clear whether these compounds have the appropriate pharmacological profiles to be therapeutically useful.

Additionally, current methods for the preparation of such compounds are not advantageous. These methods use tributyltin hydride, a toxic, moisture-sensitive reagent. Thus, these methods are inconvenient to carry out, pose a health risk and create toxic-waste disposal problems. Furthermore, it is difficult to purify compounds prepared by these methods. A preferred method for preparing compounds, such as the ICE inhibitors of this invention, has been described in PCT patent application WO 97/22619, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Accordingly, the need exists for compounds that can effectively inhibit the action of ICE in vivo, for use as agents for preventing and treating chronic and acute forms of IL-1-mediated diseases, apoptosis-, IGIF-, or IFN-γ-mediated diseases, as well as inflammatory, autoimmune, destructive bone, proliferative, infectious, or degenerative diseases. The need also exists for methods of preparing such compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel classes of compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, that are useful as inhibitors of ICE. These compounds can be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic or prophylactic agents, such as antibiotics, immunomodulators or other anti-inflammatory agents, for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases mediated by IL-1, apoptosis, IGIF or IFN-γ. According to a preferred embodiment, the compounds of this invention are capable of binding to the active site of ICE and inhibiting the activity of that enzyme. Additionally, they have improved cellular potency, improved pharmacokinetics, and/or improved oral bioavailability compared to peptidyl ICE inhibitors.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of ICE represented by formula:

wherein the various substituents are described herein.

It is a further objective of this invention to provide novel processes of preparing the compounds of this invention and related compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the invention described herein may be more fully understood, the following detailed description is set forth.

The following abbreviations and definitions are used throughout the application.

Ac₂O acetic anhydride n-Bu normal-butyl DMF dimethylformamide DIEA N,N-diisopropylethylamine EDC 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride Et₂O diethyl ether EtOAc ethyl acetate Fmoc 9-fluorenylmethyoxycarbonyl HBTU O-benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N,N′- tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate HOBT 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate MeOH methanol TFA trifluoroacetic acid

The terms “HBV”, “HCV” and “HGV” refer to hepatitis-B virus, hepatitis-C virus and hepatitis-G virus, respectively.

The term “K_(i)” refers to a numerical measure of the effectiveness of a compound in inhibiting the activity of a target enzyme such as ICE. Lower values of K_(i) reflect higher effectiveness. The K_(i) value is a derived by fitting experimentally determined rate data to standard enzyme kinetic equations (see I. H. Segel, Enzyme Kinetics, Wiley-Interscience, 1975).

The term “interferon gamma inducing factor” or “IGIF” refers to a factor which is capable of stimulating the endogenous production of IFN-γ.

The term “ICE inhibitor” refers to a compound which is capable of inhibiting one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of ICE and ICE homologs. ICE inhibition may be determined using the methods described and incorporated by reference herein. The skilled practitioner realizes that an in vivo ICE inhibitor is not necessarily an in vitro ICE inhibitor. For example, a prodrug form of a compound typically demonstrates little or no activity in in vitro assays. Such prodrug forms may be altered by metabolic or other biochemical processes in the patient to provide an in vivo ICE inhibitor.

The term “cytokine” refers to a molecule which mediates interactions between cells.

The term “condition” refers to any disease, disorder or effect that produces deleterious biological consequences in a subject.

The term “subject” refers to an animal, or to one or more cells derived from an animal. Preferably, the animal is a mammal, most preferably a human. Cells may be in any form, including but not limited to cells retained in tissue, cell clusters, immortalized cells, transfected or transformed cells, and cells derived from an animal that have been physically or phenotypically altered.

The term “patient” as used in this application refers to any mammal, preferably humans.

The term “alkyl” refers to a straight-chained or branched, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

The term “alkenyl” refers to a straight-chained or branched unsaturated hydrocarbon containing 2 to 6 carbons.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a mono- or polycyclic, non-aromatic, hydrocarbon ring system which may optionally contain unsaturated bonds in the ring system. Examples include cyclohexyl, adamantyl and norbornyl.

The term “aryl” refers to a mono- or polycyclic ring system which contains 6, 10, 12 or 14 carbons in which at least one ring of the ring system is aromatic. The aryl groups of this invention are optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷. Examples of aryl ring systems include, phenyl, naphthyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a mono- or polycyclic ring system which contains 1 to 15 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms, and in which at least one ring of the ring system is aromatic. Heteroatoms are sulfur, nitrogen or oxygen. The heteroaryl groups of this invention are optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷.

The term “heterocyclic” refers to a mono- or polycyclic ring system which contains 1 to 15 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms, in which the mono- or polycyclic ring system may optionally contain unsaturated bonds but is not aromatic. Heteroatoms are independently sulfur, nitrogen, or oxygen.

The term “alkylaryl” refers to an alkyl group, wherein a hydrogen atom of the alkyl group is replaced by an aryl radical.

The term “alkylheteroaryl” refers to an alkyl group, wherein a hydrogen atom of the alkyl group is replaced by a heteroaryl radical.

The term “substitute” refers to the replacement of a hydrogen atom in a compound with a substituent group.

The term “straight chain” refers to a contiguous unbranching string of covalently bound atoms. The straight chain may be substituted, but these substituents are not a part of the straight chain.

The term “patient” as used in this application refers to any mammal, preferably humans.

In chemical formulas, parenthesis are used herein to denote connectivity in molecules or groups. In particular, parentheses are used to indicate: 1) that more than one atom or group is bonded to a particular atom; or 2) a branching point (i.e., the atom immediately before the open parenthesis is bonded both to the atom or group in the parentheses and the atom or group immediately after the closed parenthesis). An example of the first use is “—N(alkyl)₂”, indicating two alkyl groups bond to an N atom. An example of the second use is “—C(O)NH₂”, indicating a carbonyl group and an amino (“NH₂”) group both bonded to the indicated carbon atom. A “—C(O)NH₂” group may be represented in other ways, including the following structure:

Other definitions are set forth in the specification where necessary.

COMPOUNDS OF THIS INVENTION

The compounds of one embodiment (A) of this invention are those of formula (I):

wherein:

Y is

 provided that if R⁵ is —OH, then Y may also be:

C is an aryl or a heteroaryl ring, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by —R⁴;

R¹ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R² is a bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —OC(O)—, —N(H)C(O)—, —N(H)S(O)₂—, —N(H)C(O)C(O)—, —CH═CHC(O)—, —OCH₂C(O)—, —N(H)CH₂C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)S(O)₂—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)C(O)—, or —N(R¹⁹)CH₂C(O)—, provided that if R² is not a bond, then R² is connected to the NH attached to the 7-membered ring through carbonyl or sulfonyl;

R³ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂,

R⁴ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O)₂alkyl, or —C(O)alkyl;

R⁵ is —OH, —OR⁸, or —N(H)OH;

R⁶ is —H, —CH₂OR⁹, —CH₂SR¹⁰, —CH₂N(H)R⁹, —CH₂N(R⁹)R¹², —C(H)N₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —C(O)N(R¹¹)R¹², —R¹³, or —R¹⁴;

R⁸ is -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle;

R⁹ is —H, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O) alkylheteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or —P(O)R¹⁵R¹⁶;

R¹⁰ is -alkylaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

each R¹¹ and R¹² is independently —H, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R¹³ is -alkylaryl, -alkenylaryl, -alkynylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R¹⁴ is

 wherein any hydrogen bound to (i) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷ and any hydrogen bound to (ii) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷, R¹⁸ or R²⁰;

each R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is independently —H, —OH, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —Oalkyl, —Oaryl, —Oheteroaryl, —Oalkylaryl, or —Oalkylheteroaryl;

R¹⁷ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, —SO₂NH₂, —C(O)H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂alkyl, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S(O₂)N(H)alkyl, —S(O₂)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, or —C(O)alkyl;

R¹⁸ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-alkylaryl, —O-alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)aryl, —N(aryl)₂, —N(H)heteroaryl, —N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylaryl, —N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S-aryl, —S-heteroaryl, —S-alkylaryl, —S-alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkyheteroaryl, —CO₂aryl, —CO₂heteroaryl, —CO₂alkylaryl, —CO₂alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(H)aryl, —C(O)N(aryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂aryl, —S(O)₂heteroaryl, —S(O)₂alkylaryl, —S(O)₂alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)aryl, —S(O)₂N(H)heteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)alkylaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(aryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(heteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(H)aryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(aryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂;

R¹⁹ is —H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle;

R²⁰ is -alkyl-R¹⁸;

m is 0 or 1; and

X is O or S.

The compounds of another embodiment (B) of this invention are those of formula (II):

wherein Y is:

R⁷ is —C(O)alkyl, —C(O)cycloalkyl, —C(O)alkyenyl, —C (O) alkylaryl, —C(O) alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)heterocycle, or —C(O)alkylheterocycle; and the other substituents are as described above.

Preferred compounds of embodiments (A) and (B) are those wherein:

C is benzo, pyrido, thieno, pyrrolo, furo, imidazo, thiazolo, oxazolo, pyrazolo, isothiazolo, isoxazolo, or triazolo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴.

More preferred compounds of embodiments (A) and (B) are those wherein:

Y is

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴;

R¹ is -phenyl, -naphthyl, or -isoquinolinyl, wherein R¹⁷ is —OH, —NH₂, —Cl, —F, —Oalkyl, or —N(alkyl)₂;

R² is —C(O)—, —S(O₂)—, —C(O)C(O)—, or —CH₂C(O)—;

R³ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -phenyl, -2-pyridinyl, -3-pyridinyl, -4-pyridinyl, or -thiazolyl;

R⁴ is -fluoro or -chloro;

R⁵ is —OH;

R⁶ is:

—H; or

—R¹⁴, wherein X=O, provided that when —R¹⁴ is (i), R¹⁷ is —Oalkyl, —F or —Cl and provided that when —R¹⁴ is (ii), R¹⁸ is -aryl, wherein aryl is phenyl;

R⁷ is —C(O)alkyl;

R⁸ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -cyclopentyl, -phenethyl or -benzyl;

X is O; or

m is 0.

Preferred compounds of embodiment (A) of this invention include, but are not limited to:

We now prefer compounds of embodiments (C) and (D). The compounds of embodiment (C) of this invention are those of formula (III):

wherein:

Y is

 provided that if R⁵ is —OH, then Y may also be:

C is an aryl or a heteroaryl ring, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by —R⁴;

R¹ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R² is a bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —OC(O)—, —N(H)C(O)—, —N(H)S(O)₂—, —N(H)C(O)C(O)—, —CH═CHC(O)—, —OCH₂C(O)—, —N(H)CH₂C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)S(O)₂—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)CH₂C(O)—, or —C(O)C(═NOR¹¹)—, provided that when R² is not a bond, R² is bonded to the 7-membered ring NH group through carbonyl or sulfonyl;

R³ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂,

R⁴ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H) (alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, —C(O)alkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂N(H)alkyl, or CH₂N(alkyl)₂;

R⁵ is —OH, —OR⁸, or —N(H)OH;

R⁶ is —H, —CH₂OR⁹, —CH₂SR¹⁰, —CH₂NHR⁹, —CH₂N(R⁹)R¹², —CHN₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —C(O)N(R¹¹)R₁₂, —R¹³, or —R¹⁴;

R⁸ is -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle;

R⁹ is —H, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkylheteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or —P(O)R¹⁵R¹⁶;

R¹⁰ is -alkylaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

each R¹¹and R¹² is independently —H, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R¹³ is -alkylaryl, -alkenylaryl, -alkynylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl;

R¹⁴ is

 wherein any hydrogen bound to (i) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷ and any hydrogen bound to (ii) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷, R¹⁸ or R²⁰;

each R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is independently —H, —OH, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —Oalkyl, —Oaryl, —Oheteroaryl, —Oalkylaryl, or —Oalkylheteroaryl;

R¹⁷ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, —S(O₂)NH₂, —C(O)H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂alkyl, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —SO₂N(H)alkyl, —S(O₂)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, or —C(O)alkyl;

R¹⁸ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-alkylaryl, —O-alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)aryl, —N(aryl)₂, —N(H)heteroaryl, —N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylaryl, —N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S-aryl, —S-heteroaryl, —S-alkylaryl, —S-alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkyheteroaryl, —CO₂aryl, —CO₂heteroaryl, —CO₂alkylaryl, —CO₂alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(H)aryl, —C(O)N(aryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂-aryl, —S(O)₂-heteroaryl, —S(O)₂-alkylaryl, —S(O)₂alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂NH-aryl, —S(O)₂NH-heteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)alkylaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(aryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(H)heteroaryl)₂, —SO₂N(alkylaryl)₂, —SO₂N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(H)aryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(aryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(H)heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂;

R¹⁹ is —H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle;

R²⁰ is -alkyl-R¹⁸;

m is 0 or 1; and

X is O or S.

The compound of embodiment (D) of this invention are those of formula (IV):

wherein Y is:

R⁷ is —C(O)alkyl, —C(O)cycloalkyl, —C(O)alkyenyl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)heterocycle, or —C(O)alkylheterocycle; and the other substituents are as defined above.

In the above embodiments, R⁸ and R¹⁹ is also independently selected from heterocyclyl or alkylcycloalkyl.

In embodiments (B) and (D) Y is also selected from:

Preferred compounds of embodiments (C) and (D) are those wherein:

C is benzo, pyrido, thieno, pyrrolo, furo, imidazo, thiazolo, oxazolo, pyrazolo, isothiazolo, isoxazolo, or triazolo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴.

More preferred compounds of embodiment (C) and (D) are those wherein:

Y is

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴;

R¹ is -phenyl, -naphthyl, or -isoquinolinyl, wherein R¹⁷ is —OH, —NH₂, —Cl, —F, —Oalkyl, or —N(alkyl)₂;

R² is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)C(O)—, or —CH₂C(O)—;

R³ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -phenyl, -2-pyridinyl, -3-pyridinyl, -4-pyridinyl, or -thiazolyl;

R⁴ is -fluoro or -chloro;

R⁵ is —OH;

R⁶ is:

—H; or

—R¹⁴, wherein X is O, provided that when —R¹⁴ is (i), R¹⁷ is —Oalkyl, —F or —Cl and provided that when —R¹⁴ is (ii), R¹⁸ is -aryl, wherein aryl is phenyl;

R⁷ is —C(O) alkyl;

R⁸ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -cyclopentyl, -phenethyl or -benzyl;

X is O; or

m is 0.

Other more preferred compounds of embodiments (B) and (D) are those wherein Y is

and the other substituents are as defined above.

Preferred compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to:

Another preferred compound of this invention includes, but is not limited to:

The ICE inhibitors of this invention may contain one or more “asymmetric” carbon atoms and thus may occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. All such isomeric forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention. Each stereogenic carbon may be of the R or S configuration. Although specific compounds and scaffolds exemplified in this application may be depicted in a particular stereochemical configuration, compounds and scaffolds having either the opposite stereochemistry at any given chiral center or mixtures thereof are also envisioned.

The ICE inhibitors may optionally be substituted at carbon, nitrogen or other atoms by various substituents. When multiply substituted, each substituent may be picked independently of any other substituent as long as the combination of substituents results in the formation of a stable compound.

Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are only those that result in the formation of stable compounds. The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and administration to a mammal by methods known in the art. Typically, such compounds are stable at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

Substituents may be represented in various forms. These various forms are known to the skilled practitioner and may be used interchangeably. For example, a methyl substituent on a phenyl ring may be represented in any of the following forms:

Various forms of substituents such as methyl are used herein interchangeably.

The compounds of this invention have a molecular weight of less than or equal to about 700 Daltons, and more preferably between about 400 and 600 Daltons. These preferred compounds may be readily absorbed by the bloodstream of patients upon oral administration. This oral availability makes such compounds excellent agents for orally-administered treatment and prevention regimens against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, or IFN-γ-mediated diseases.

It should be understood that the compounds of this invention may exist in various equilibrium forms, depending on conditions including choice of solvent, pH, and others known to the practitioner skilled in the art. All such forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention. In particular, many of the compounds of this invention, especially those which contain aldehyde or ketone groups in R₃ and carboxylic acid groups in T, may take hemiketal (or hemiacetal) or hydrated forms. For example, compounds of embodiment (A) take a hemiacetal or hemiketal form when Y is:

Depending on the choice of solvent and other conditions known to the practitioner skilled in the art, compounds of this invention may also take hydrated, acyloxy ketal, acyloxy acetal, ketal, acetal or enol forms. For example, in embodiment (B) compounds of this invention take hydrated forms when Y is:

and R⁸ is H;

acyloxy ketal or acyloxy acetal forms when Y is:

ketal or acetal forms when Y is:

and enol forms when Y is:

In addition, it should be understood that the equilibrium forms of the compounds of this invention may include tautomeric forms. All such forms of these compounds are expressly included in the present invention .

It should be understood that the compounds of this invention may be modified by appropriate functionalities to enhance selective biological properties. Such modifications are known in the art and include those which increase biological penetration into a given biological system (e-g., blood, lymphatic system, central nervous system), increase oral availability, increase solubility to allow administration by injection, alter metabolism and alter rate of excretion. In addition, the compounds may be altered to pro-drug form such that the desired compound is created in the body of the patient as the result of the action of metabolic or other biochemical processes on the pro-drug. Such pro-drug forms typically demonstrate little or no activity in in vitro assays. Some examples of pro-drug forms include ketal, acetal, oxime, imine and hydrazone forms of compounds which contain ketone or aldehyde groups, especially where they occur in the R³ group of the compounds of this invention. Other examples of pro-drug forms include the hemi-ketal, hemi-acetal, acyloxy ketal, acyloxy acetal, ketal, acetal and enol forms that are described herein.

Compositions and Methods

The compounds of this invention are excellent ligands for ICE. Accordingly, these compounds are capable of targeting and inhibiting events in IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-γ-mediated diseases, and, thus, the ultimate activity of that protein in inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. For example, the compounds of this invention inhibit the conversion of precursor IL-1β to mature IL-1β by inhibiting ICE. Because ICE is essential for the production of mature IL-1, inhibition of that enzyme effectively blocks initiation of IL-1-mediated physiological effects and symptoms, such as inflammation, by inhibiting the production of mature IL-1. Thus, by inhibiting IL-1β precursor activity, the compounds of this invention effectively function as IL-1 inhibitors.

Compounds of this invention also inhibit conversion of pro-IGIF into active, mature IGIF by inhibiting ICE. Because ICE is essential for the production of mature IGIF, inhibition of ICE effectively blocks initiation of IGIF-mediated physiological effects and symptoms, by inhibiting production of mature IGIF. IGIF is in turn essential for the production of IFN-γ. ICE therefore effectively blocks initiation of IFN-γ-mediated physiological effects and symptoms, by inhibiting production of mature IGIF and thus production of IFN-γ.

The pharmaceutical compositions and methods of this invention, therefore, will be useful for controlling ICE activity in vivo. The compositions and methods of this invention will thus be useful for controlling IL-1, IGIF or IFN-γ levels in vivo and for treating or reducing the advancement, severity or effects of IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, or IFN-γ-mediated conditions, including diseases, disorders or effects.

Accordingly, one embodiment of this invention provides a method for decreasing IGIF production in a subject comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an ICE inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Another embodiment of this invention provides a method for decreasing IFN-γ production in a subject comprising the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an ICE inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, the methods of this invention comprise the step of administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor of an ICE-related protease that is capable of cleaving pro-IGIF to active IGIF, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. One such ICE-related protease is TX, as described above. This invention thus provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for controlling IGIF and IFN-γ levels by administering a TX inhibitor.

Other ICE-related proteases capable of processing pro-IGIF into an active IGIF form may also be found. Thus it is envisioned that inhibitors of those enzymes may be identified by those of skill in the art and will also fall within the scope of this invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention comprise an ICE inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle. Such compositions may optionally comprise an additional therapeutic agent. Such agents include, but are not limited to, an anti-inflammatory agent, a matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, a cytokine antagonist, an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, a cytokine, a growth factor, an immunomodulator, a prostaglandin or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation compound.

If the pharmaceutical composition comprises only the ICE inhibitor as the active component, such methods may additionally comprise the step of administering to the subject an additional agent. Such agents include, but are not limited to, an anti-inflammatory agent, a matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, a cytokine antagonist, an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, an anti-viral agent, a cytokine, a growth factor, an immunomodulator, a prostaglandin or an anti-vascular hyperproliferation compound.

The term “pharmaceutically effective amount” refers to an amount effective in treating or ameliorating an IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated disease in a patient. The term “prophylactically effective amount” refers to an amount effective in preventing or substantially lessening IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated diseases in a patient.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or adjuvant” refers to a non-toxic carrier or adjuvant that may be administered to a patient, together with a compound of this invention, and which does not destroy the pharmacological activity thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative” means any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or salt of such ester, of a compound of this invention or any other compound which, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of this invention or an anti-ICE active metabolite or residue thereof.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include, for example, those derived from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples of suitable acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric, glycolic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric, acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic and benzenesulfonic acids. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal (e.g., sodium), alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium), ammonium and N—(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₄ ⁺salts.

This invention also envisions the “quaternization” of any basic nitrogen-containing groups of the compounds disclosed herein. The basic nitrogen can be quaternized with any agents known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, for example, lower alkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl chloride, bromides and iodides; dialkyl sulfates including dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl and diamyl sulfates; long chain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides; and aralkyl halides including benzyl and phenethyl bromides. Water or oil-soluble or dispersible products may be obtained by such quaternization.

The compounds of this invention may be employed in a conventional manner for controlling IGIF and IFN-γ levels in vivo and for treating diseases or reducing the advancement or severity of effects which are mediated by IL-1, apoptosis, IGIF or IFN-γ. Such methods of treatment, their dosage levels and requirements may be selected by those of ordinary skill in the art from available methods and techniques.

For example, a compound of this invention may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant for administration to a patient suffering from an IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated disease in a pharmaceutically acceptable manner and in an amount effective to lessen the severity of that disease.

Alternatively, the compounds of this invention may be used in compositions and methods for treating or protecting individuals against IL-1, apoptosis-, IGIF, or IFN-γ mediated diseases over extended periods of time. The compounds may be employed in such compositions either alone or together with other compounds of this invention in a manner consistent with the conventional utilization of ICE inhibitors in pharmaceutical compositions. For example, a compound of this invention may be combined with pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants conventionally employed in vaccines and administered in prophylactically effective amounts to protect individuals over an extended period of time against IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF, or IFN-γ mediated diseases.

The compounds of this invention may also be co-administered with other ICE inhibitors to increase the effect of therapy or prophylaxis against various IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- or IFN-γ mediated diseases.

In addition, the compounds of this invention may be used in combination either conventional anti-inflammatory agents or with matrix metalloprotease inhibitors, lipoxygenase inhibitors and antagonists of cytokines other than IL-1β.

The compounds of this invention can also be administered in combination with immunomodulators (e.g., bropirimine, anti-human alpha-interferon antibody, IL-2, GM-CSF, methionine enkephalin, interferon-alpha, diethyldithiocarbamate, tumor necrosis factor, naltrexone and EPO), with prostaglandins, or with antiviral agents (e.g., 3TC, polysulfated polysaccharides, ganiclovir, ribavirin, acyclovir, alpha interferon, trimethotrexate and fancyclovir) or prodrugs of these or related compounds to prevent or combat IL-1-mediated disease symptoms such as inflammation.

When the compounds of this invention are administered in combination therapies with other agents, they may be administered sequentially or concurrently to the patient. Alternatively, pharmaceutical or prophylactic compositions according to this invention comprise a combination of an ICE inhibitor of this invention and another therapeutic or prophylactic agent.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles that may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina, aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serum albumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetable fatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes, polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, wool fat and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) such as α-tocopherol, polyethyleneglycol 1000 succinate, or other similar polymeric delivery matrices.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implanted reservoir. We prefer oral administration. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may contain any conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, adjuvants or vehicles. In some cases, the pH of the formulation may be adjusted with pharmaceutically acceptable acids, bases or buffers to enhance the stability of the formulated compound or its delivery form. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous, intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrasternal, intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable preparation, for example, as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents (such as, for example, Tween 80) and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are mannitol, water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in the preparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may also contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant such as those described in Pharmacopeia Helvetica, Ph. Helv, or a similar alcohol.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orally administered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but not limited to, capsules, tablets, and aqueous suspensions and solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which are commonly used include lactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried corn starch. When aqueous suspensions are administered orally, the active ingredient is combined with emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening and/or flavoring and/or coloring agents may be added.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. These compositions can be prepared by mixing a compound of this invention with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at the rectal temperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the active components. Such materials include, but are not limited to, cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

Topical administration of the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention is especially useful when the desired treatment involves areas or organs readily accessible by topical application. For application topically to the skin, the pharmaceutical composition should be formulated with a suitable ointment containing the active components suspended or dissolved in a carrier. Carriers for topical administration of the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, liquid petroleum, white petroleum, propylene glycol, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water. Alternatively, the pharmaceutical composition can be formulated with a suitable lotion or cream containing the active compound suspended or dissolved in a carrier. Suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitan monostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also be topically applied to the lower intestinal tract by rectal suppository formulation or in a suitable enema formulation. Topically-administered transdermal patches are also included in this invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art.

Dosage levels of between about 0.01 and about 100 mg/kg body weight per day, preferably between 0.5 and about 75 mg/kg body weight per day and most preferably between about 1 and 50 mg/kg body weight per day of the active ingredient compound are useful in a monotherapy for the prevention and treatment of IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF- and IFN-γ mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, destructive bone disorders, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, necrotic diseases, osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, adult respiratory distress syndrome, glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease, autoimmune gastritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I), autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, graft vs. host disease, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma-related bone disorder, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, metastatic melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple myeloma, sepsis, septic shock, Shigellosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS-related encephalitis, HIV-related encephalitis, aging, alopecia, neurological damage due to stroke, ulcerative collitis, infectious hepatitis, juvenile diabetes, lichenplanus, acute dermatomyositis, eczema, primary cirrhosis, uveitis, Behcet's disease, atopic skin disease, pure red cell aplasia, aplastic anemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, nephrotic syndrome and systemic diseases or diseases with effects localized in the liver or other organs having an inflammatory or apoptotic component caused by excess dietary alcohol intake or viruses, such as HBV, HCV, HGV, yellow fever virus, dengue fever virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus.

Typically, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will be administered from about 1 to 5 times per day or alternatively, as a continuous infusion. Such administration can be used as a chronic or acute therapy. The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. A typical preparation will contain from about 5% to about 95% active compound (w/w). Preferably, such preparations contain from about 20% to about 80% active compound.

When the compositions of this invention comprise a combination of an ICE inhibitor and one or more additional therapeutic or prophylactic agents, both the ICE inhibitor and the additional agent should be present at dosage levels of between about 10% to 80% of the dosage normally administered in a monotherapy regime.

Upon improvement of a patient's condition, a maintenance dose of a compound, composition or combination of this invention may be administered, if necessary. Subsequently, the dosage or frequency of administration, or both, may be reduced, as a function of the symptoms, to a level at which the improved condition is retained when the symptoms have been alleviated to the desired level, treatment should cease. Patients may, however, require intermittent treatment on a long-term basis upon any recurrence or disease symptoms.

As the skilled artisan will appreciate, lower or higher doses than those recited above may be required. Specific dosage and treatment regimens for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health status, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity and course of the disease, and the patient's disposition to the disease and the judgment of the treating physician.

The IL-1 mediated diseases which may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, proliferative disorders, infectious diseases, and degenerative diseases. The apoptosis-mediated diseases which may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention include degenerative diseases.

IL-1 mediated inflammatory diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Preferably the inflammatory disease is osteoarthritis or acute pancreatitis.

IL-1 mediated autoimmune diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to, glomeralonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease, autoimmune gastritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I), autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, and graft vs. host disease. Preferably the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or psoriasis,

IL-1 mediated destructive bone disorders which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to, osteoporosis and multiple myeloma-related bone disorder.

IL-1 mediated proliferative diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, metastatic melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and multiple myeloma.

IL-1 mediated infectious diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to, sepsis, septic shock, and Shigellosis.

The IL-1-mediated degenerative or necrotic diseases which may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, and myocardial ischemia. Preferably, the degenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease.

The apoptosis-mediated degenerative diseases which may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia, spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS-related encephalitis, HIV-related encephalitis, aging, alopecia, and neurological damage due to stroke.

Other diseases having an inflammatory or apoptotic component may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention. Such diseases may be systemic diseases or diseases with effects localized in the liver or other organs and may be caused by, for example, excess dietary alcohol intake or viruses, such as HBV, HCV, HGV, yellow fever virus, dengue fever virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus.

The IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated diseases which may be treated or prevented by the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune, proliferative, neurodegenerative and necrotic conditions.

IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated inflammatory diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to osteoarthritis, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative collitis, cerebral ischemia, myocardial ischemia and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Preferably, the inflammatory disease is rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative collitis, Crohn's disease, hepatitis or adult respiratory distress syndrome.

IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated infectious diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to infectious hepatitis, sepsis, septic shock and Shigellosis.

IGIF- or IFN-γ-mediated autoimmune diseases which may be treated or prevented include, but are not limited to glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, chronic thyroiditis, Graves' disease, autoimmune gastritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I), juvenile diabetes, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, lichenplanus, graft vs. host disease, acute dermatomyositis, eczema, primary cirrhosis, hepatitis, uveitis, Behcet's disease, atopic skin disease, pure red cell aplasia, aplastic anemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and nephrotic syndrome. Preferably, the autoimmune disease is glomerulonephritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I), juvenile diabetes, psoriasis, graft vs. host disease or hepatitis.

Although this invention focuses on the use of the compounds disclosed herein for preventing and treating IL-1, apoptosis-, IGIF, IFN-γ-mediated diseases, the compounds of this invention can also be used as inhibitory agents for other cysteine proteases.

The compounds of this invention are also useful as commercial reagents which effectively bind to ICE or other cysteine proteases. As commercial reagents, the compounds of this invention, and their derivatives, may be used to block proteolysis of a target peptide in biochemical or cellular assays for ICE and ICE homologs or may be derivatized to bind to a stable resin as a tethered substrate for affinity chromatography applications. These and other uses which characterize commercial cysteine protease inhibitors will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Process of Preparing N-Acylamino Compounds

The ICE inhibitors of this invention may be synthesized using conventional techniques. Advantageously, these compounds are conveniently synthesized from readily available starting materials.

The compounds of this invention are among the most readily synthesized ICE inhibitors known. Many of the previously described ICE inhibitors contain four or more chiral centers and numerous peptide linkages. The relative ease with which the compounds of this invention can be synthesized represents an advantage in the large scale production of these compounds.

For example, compounds of this invention may be prepared using the processes described herein. As can be appreciated by the skilled practitioner, these processes are not the only means by which the compounds described and claimed in this application may be synthesized. Further methods will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the various synthetic steps described herein may be performed in an alternate sequence or order to give the desired compounds.

A preferred method for preparing the N-acylamino compounds of this invention comprise the steps of:

a) mixing a carboxylic acid with an N-alloc-protected amine in the presence of an inert solvent, triphenylphoshine, a nucleophilic scavenger, and tetrakis-triphenyl phosphine palladium(0) at ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere; and

b) adding to the step a) mixture, HOBT and EDC; and optionally comprising the further step of:

c) hydrolyzing the step b) mixture in the presence of a solution comprising an acid and H₂O, wherein the step b) mixture is optionally concentrated, prior to hydrolyzing.

Preferably, the inert solvent is CH₂Cl₂, DMF, or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and DMF.

Preferably, the nucleophilic scavenger is dimedone, morpholine, trimethylsilyl dimethylamine, or dimethyl barbituric acid. More preferably, the nucleophilic scavenger is trimethylsilyl dimethylamine or dimethyl barbituric acid.

Preferably, the solution comprises trifluoroacetic acid in about 1-90% by weight. More preferably, the solution comprises trifluoroacetic acid in about 20-50% by weight.

Alternatively, the solution comprises hydrochloric acid in about 0.1-30% by weight. More preferably, the solution comprises hydrochloric acid in about 5-15% by weight.

More preferably, in the above process, the inert solvent is CH₂Cl₂, DMF, or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and DMF and the nucleophilic scavenger is dimedone, morpholine, trimethylsilyl dimethylamine, or dimethyl barbituric acid.

Most preferably, in the above process the inert solvent is CH₂Cl₂, DMF, or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and DMF and the nucleophilic scavenger is trimethylsilyl dimethylamine or dimethyl barbituric acid.

In an example of a preferred process, the N-acylamino compound is represented by formula (V):

wherein:

R²¹ is:

R²² is:

m is 1; and

R²³ is -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or alkylheterocycle and the other substituents are as described above.

Preferably, the carboxylic acid is R²²—OH and the N-alloc protected amine is:

wherein R²³ and m are as defined above.

In order that this invention be more fully understood, the following examples are set forth. These examples are for the purpose of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE 1

(3S) -3- [3 (R,S)-1,3-Dihydro-2-oxo-5-phenyl ((benzyloxycarbonyl)amino)-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-1-acetylamino]-4-oxobutyric acid

Step 1. A 0° C. THF solution (30 ml) of 1 (2.4 g 6.22 mmol; prepared as described in Sherrill and Sugg, J. Org. Chem., 60, pp. 730-4 (1995)) was treated with NaH (240 mg, 6.00 mmol of a 60% oil dispersion). After the reaction was stirred for 1 hr at 0° C., methyl bromoacetate (0.6 ml, 6.32 mmol) was added to the reaction and the allowed to warm to room temperature. The reaction was quenched with water (10 ml) and aqueous 10% NaHSO₄ (1 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×). The combined organic layers were dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography (SiO₂, 10 to 3% methylene chloride/ethyl acetate eluent) gave 2.15 g (76%) of 2.

Step 2. Aqueous 1 N NaOH (3.5 ml, 3.5 mmol) was added to a solution of 2 (340 mg, 0.74 mmol) in methanol and THF (6 ml of 1:1). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 18 hr. The reaction was evaporated, dissolved in water and acidified with aqueous 10% NaHSO₄ to pH 3. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×) and the combined organic layers were dried anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to give 210 mg (64%) of 3.

Step 3. (3S) 3-(1-Fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino)-4-oxobutyric acid tert-butyl ester semicarbazone (4; 226 mg, 0.5 mmol; prepared in a similar manner as the benzyloxycarbonyl analog described in Graybill et al. Int. J. Protein Res., 44, pp. 173-82 (1994)) was dissolved in 10 ml of acetonitrile (20 ml) and diethylamine (2 ml) was added to the solution. The reaction was stirred for two hours, concentrated in vacuo, the resulting dissolved in acetonitrile and concentrated in vacuo again to give (3S) 3-amino-4-oxobutyric acid tert-butyl ester semicarbazone. A 5° C. solution of the semicarbazone and 3 (188 mg, 0.424 mmol) in methylene chloride/DMF (6 ml of 1:1) was treated with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt; 57 mg, 0.424 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC; 115 mg, 0.6 mmol) and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hr. The reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with water, aqueous saturated NaHCO₃ and aqueous saturated NaCl, dried over dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatography (SiO₂, 5% ammonium hydroxide/5% methanol/methylene chloride eluent) gave 250 mg of 5.

Step 4. Semicarbazone 5 (250 mg) was dissolved in 25% TFA/methylene chloride (10 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 5 hr. to give a yellow foam that was dissolved in 5 ml MeOH, 1 ml acetic Acid, and 1 ml of 37% aqueous formaldehyde that was stirred at room temperature for 18 hrs. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo and the resulting gum purified by chromatography (SiO₂, 1% formic acid/2% methanol/methylene chloride eluent) to afford 69 mg (30%) of Example 1 from compound 3. ¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ2.42-2.54 (m, 1H); 2.60-2.76 (m, 1H); 4.22-4.38 (m, 1H); 4.39-4.48 (m, 0.5H); 4.5-4.75 (m, 2.5H); 5.15 (s, 2H); 5.32 (br. s, 1H); 7.2-7.86 (m, 14H).

EXAMPLE 2

Further data for Example 2 is found in Table

(3S)-3-[3(R,S)-1,3-Dihydro-2-oxo-5-phenyl-((3,5-dichloro-4-methoxybenzoyl)amino)-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-1-acetylamino]-4-oxobutyric acid

Step 1. MBHA resin (0.63 mmol/g, 4.14 g, 2.61 mmol) was suspended in dimethylacetamide (20 mL) followed by addition of 6 (2.37 g, 4.0 mmol, prepared from (3S) 3-(fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) -4-oxobutryic acid t-butyl ester according to A. M. Murphy et. al. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 114, 3156-3157 (1992)), O-benzotriazole-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate (HBTU; 1.53 g, 4.04 mmol), and DIEA (1.75 mL, 10.0 mmol). The reaction mixture was agitated 3 hr at room temperature using a wrist arm shaker. The resin was isolated on a sintered glass funnel by suction filtration and washed with dimethylacetamide (6×20 mL). Unreacted amine groups were then capped by reacting the resin with 20% (v/v) acetic anhydride/dimethylformamide (2×25 ml) directly in the funnel (10 min wash). The resin was washed with dimethylformamide (3×50 ml), dichloromethane (3×50 ml) and methanol (3×20 mL) prior to drying overnight in vacuo to yield 7 (5.33 g, 0.35 mmol/g, 1.86 mmol, 71%).

Step 2. Resin 7 (4.0 g, 0.35 mmol/g, 1.4 mmol) was swelled in a sintered glass funnel by washing with dimethylformamide (3×25 mL). The Fmoc protecting group was then cleaved with 25% (v/v) piperidine/dimethylformamide (25 mL) for 10 min (intermittent stirring) and then for 20 min with fresh piperidine reagent (25 ml). The resin was then washed with dimethylformamide (3×25 ml), followed by N-methypyrrolidone (2×25 mL). After transferring the resin to a 100 mL flask, N-methypyrrolidone was added to obtain a slurry followed by 8 (0.958 g, 2.1 mmol), HOBT.H₂O (0.321 g, 2.1 mmol), HBTU (0.796 g, 2.1 mmol) and DIEA (0.732 mL, 4.2 mmol). The reaction mixture was agitated overnight at room temperature using a wrist arm shaker. The resin work-up was performed as described for 7 to yield 9 (4.17 g, 0.27 mmol/g, 1.12 mmol, 80%).

Step 3. This compound was prepared from resin 9 (0.17 g, 0.047 mmol) using an Advanced ChemTech 396 Multiple Peptide synthesizer. The automated cycles consisted of a resin wash with dimethylformamide (3×1 mL), deprotection with 25% (v/v) piperidine in dimethylformamide (1 mL) for 3 min followed by fresh reagent (1 mL) for 10 min. The resin 10 was washed with dimethylformamide (3×1 mL) and N-methypyrrolidone (3×1 mL).

Step 4. Resin 10 was acylated with a solution of 0.4M 3,5-dichloro-4-methoxybenzoic acid and 0.4M HOBT in N-methypyrrolidone (0.5 mL), a solution of 0.4M HBTU in N-methylpyrrolidone (0.5 mL) and a solution of 1.6M DIEA in N-methypyrrolidone (0.25 mL) and the reaction was shaken for 2 hr at room temperature. The acylation step was repeated. Finally, the resin was washed with dimethylformamide (3×1 mL), dichloromethane (3×1 mL) and dried in vacuo yield resin 11.

Step 5. The aldehyde was cleaved from the resin 11 ~and globally deprotected by treatment with 95% TFA/5% H₂O (v/v, 1.5 mL) for 30 min at room temperature. After washing the resin with cleavage reagent (1 mL), the combined filtrates were concentrated to dryness in a Savant AES2000 SpeedVac. The resulting pellets were dissolved in 50% acetonitrile/50% H₂O/0.1% TFA (5 mL) and lyophilized to obtain the crude product as an off-white solid. The compound was purified by semi-prep RP-HPLC with a Waters DeltaPak C8 300A column (15μ, 30×300 mm) eluting with a linear acetonitrile gradient (20-70%) containing 0.1% TFA (v/v) over 45 mm) at 22 mL/min. Fractions containing the desired product were pooled and lyophilized to provide Example 2 (14.1 mg, 23.1 μmol, 49%).

EXAMPLE 3

Further data for Example 3 is found in Table 1.

(3S)-3-[3(R,S)-1,3-Dihydro-2-oxo-5-phenyl(benzoylamino)-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-1-acetylamino]-4-oxobutyric acid

Step 4. Following a similar procedure as method 1, resin 5 was acylated with 0.5M benzoyl chloride in N-methypyrrolidone (1 mL) and 1.6M DIEA in N-methypyrrolidone (0.35 mL) for 3 hr at room temperature. The acylation step was repeated to yield resin 12. This same methodology was also applied to the preparation of sulfonylamino compounds by replacing benzoyl chloride with sulfonyl chlorides. This same methodology was also applied to the preparation of urea compounds by replacing benzoyl chloride with the appropriate isocyanate.

Step 5. Cleavage of the aldehyde from the resin 12 and workup gave Example 3 (31.6 mg).

EXAMPLES 4-27

Examples 4-27 were prepared by methods similar to the methods used to prepare Examples 2 or 3 (see Table 1).

TABLE 1 HPLC RT (min) Prep. Ex. Structure MF MW Purity (%) MS Example 2

C29H24Cl2N4O7 611.44 13.8 88% (M + H) + 617.2 2 3

C28H24N4O6 512.53 10.43 96% (M + H) + 513.9 3 4

C30H27N5O7 569.58 8.93 98% (M + H) + 570.1 2 5

C30H26ClN5O7 604.02 9.96 98% (M + H) + 605.4 2 6

C31H30N4O7 570.61 12.25 94% (M + H) + 572.3 2 7

C28H23Cl2N5O6 596.43 11.9 98% (M + H) + 597.8 2 8

C29H26N4O7 542.55 10.6 94% (M + H) + 543.9 2 9

C30H29N5O6 555.60 9.35 93% (M + H) + 556.5 2 10

C29H26N4O7 542.55 10.78 94% (M + H) + 544.2 2 11

C31H25N5O6 563.57 11.8 96% (M + H) + 565.1 2 12

C29H24N4O8 556.54 10.66 97% (M + H) + 558.1 2 13

C29H26N4O6 526.55 10.36 94% (M + H) + 528.1 3 14

C28H30N4O6 518.57 10.75 94% (M + Na) + 541.9 3 15

C30H28N4O6 540.58 11.22 98% (M + H) + 541.6 3 16

C28H25N5O6 527.54 10.24 97% (M + H) + 529.0 3 17

C29H27N5O6 541.57 9.60 98% (M + H) + 542.7 3 18

C28H24ClN5O6 561.99 10.50 95% (M + H) + 562.7 2 19

C30H28N4O7 556.58 10.42 98% (M + H) + 557.5 2 20

C28H24N4O7 528.53 9.00 98% (M + H) + 529.4 2 21

C28H22Cl2N4O7 597.42 11.55 98% (M + H) + 598.7 2 23

C35H24Cl4N4O9 786.41 16.07 97% (M + H) + 787.2 2 24

C27H24N4O7S 548.58 11.02 98% (M + H) + 549.9 3 25

C29H24N4O7 540.54 11.63 98% (M + H) + 542.0 2 26

C32H26N4O6 562.59 12.23 98% (M + H) + 563.8 2 27

C32H26N4O6 562.59 12.88 98% (M + H) + 564.1 3

EXAMPLE 28 ICE Inhibition

We obtained inhibition constants (K_(i)) and IC₅₀ values for compounds of this invention using the three methods described below (Examples 28 and 31). Table 2 lists this data for Examples 1-20 and 21-27.

TABLE 2 UV-Visible Cell PBMC Whole human blood Example Ki (nM) IC50 (nM) IC50 (nM) 1 650 20000 2 250 3 1500 4 525 5 300 6 180 7 30 >20000 8 500 9 150 10 160 11 140 12 600 13 1000 14 7500 15 4000 16 4000 17 4000 18 55 >20000 19 20 10000 20 155 21 2.5 10000 23 90 24 300 25 250 26 100 27 45

1. Enzyme Assay with UV-visible Substrate

This assay is run using an Succinyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-p- Nitroanilide substrate. Synthesis of analogous substrates is described by L. A. Reiter (Int. J. Peptide Protein Res., 43, pp. 87-96 (1994)). The assay mixture contains:

65 μl buffer (10 mM Tris, 1 mM DTT, 0.1% CHAPS @pH 8.1)

10 μl ICE (50 nM final concentration to give a rate of ˜1 mOD/min)

5 μl DMSO/Inhibitor mixture

20 μl 400 μM Substrate (80 μM final concentration)

100 μl total reaction volume

The visible ICE assay is run in a 96-well microtiter plate. Buffer, ICE and DMSO (if inhibitor is present) are added to the wells in the order listed. The components are left to incubate at room temperature for 15 minutes starting at the time that all components are present in all wells. The microtiter plate reader is set to incubate at 37° C. After the 15 minute incubation, substrate is added directly to the wells and the reaction is monitored by following the release of the chromophore (pNA) at 405-603 nm at 37° C. for 20 minutes. A linear fit of the data is performed and the rate is calculated in mOD/min. DMSO is only present during experiments involving inhibitors, buffer is used to make up the volume to 100 μl in the other experiments.

2. Enzyme Assay with Fluorescent Substrate

This assay is run essentially according to Thornberry et al. Nature 356 pp. 768-774 (1992), using substrate 17 referenced in that article. The substrate is: Acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC). The following components are mixed:

65 μl buffer(10 mM Tris, 1 mM DTT, 0.1% CHAPS @pH8.1)

10 μl ICE (2-10 nM final concentration)

5 μl DMSO/inhibitor solution

20 μl 150 μM Substrate (30 μM final)

100 μl total reaction volume

The assay is run in a 96-well microtiter plate. Buffer and ICE are added to the wells. The components are left to incubate at 37° C. for 15 minutes in a temperature-controlled wellplate. After the 15 minute incubation, the reaction is started by adding substrate directly to the wells and the reaction is monitored at 37° C. for 30 minutes by following the release of the AMC fluorophore using an excitation wavelength for 380 nm and an emission wavelength of 460 nm. A linear fit of the data for each well is performed and a rate is determined in fluorescence units per second.

For determination of enzyme inhibition constants (K_(i)) or the mode of inhibition (competitive, uncompetitive or noncompetitive), the rate data determined in the enzyme assays at varying inhibitor concentrations are computer-fit to standard enzyme kinetic equations (see I. H. Segel, Enzyme Kinetics, Wiley-Interscience, 1975).

The determination of second order rate constants for irreversible inhibitors was performed by fitting the fluorescence vs time data to the progress equations of Morrison. Morrison, J. F., Mol. Cell. Biophys., 2, pp. 347-368 (1985). Thornberry et al. published a description of these methods for measurement of rate constants of irreversible inhibitors of ICE.

Thornberry, N. A., et al. Biochemistry, 33, pp. 3923-3940 (1994). For compounds where no prior complex formation can be observed kinetically, the second order rate constants (k_(inact)) are derived directly from the slope of the linear plots of k_(obs) vs. inhibitor concentration [I]. For compounds where prior complex formation to the enzyme can be detected, the hyperbolic plots of k_(obs) vs. [I] are fit to the equation for saturation kinetics to first generate K_(i) and k′. The second order rate constant k_(inact) is then given by k′/K_(i).

3. PBMC Cell Assay

IL-1β Assay with a Mixed Population of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) or Enriched Adherent Mononuclear Cells

Processing of pre-IL-1β by ICE can be measured in cell culture using a variety of cell sources. Human PBMC obtained from healthy donors provides a mixed population of lymphocyte subtypes and mononuclear cells that produce a spectrum of interleukins and cytokines in response to many classes of physiological stimulators. Adherent mononuclear cells from PBMC provides an enriched source of normal monocytes for selective studies of cytokine production by activated cells.

Experimental Procedure:

An initial dilution series of test compound in DMSO or ethanol is prepared, with a subsequent dilution into RPMI-10% FBS media (containing 2 mM L-glutamine, 10 mM HEPES, 50 U and 50 ug/ml pen/strep) respectively to yield drugs at 4× the final test concentration containing 0.4% DMSO or 0.4% ethanol. The final concentration of DMSO is 0.1% for all drug dilutions. A concentration titration which brackets the apparent K_(i) for a test compound determined in an ICE inhibition assay is generally used for the primary compound screen.

Generally 5-6 compound dilutions are tested and the cellular component of the assay is performed in duplicate, with duplicate ELISA determinations on each cell culture supernatant.

PBMC Isolation and IL-1 Assay:

Buffy coat cells isolated from one pint human blood (yielding 40-45 ml final volume plasma plus cells) are diluted with media to 80 ml and LeukoPREP separation tubes (Becton Dickinson) are each overlaid with 10 ml of cell suspension. After 15 min centrifugation at 1500-1800×g, the plasma/media layer is aspirated and then the mononuclear cell layer is collected with a Pasteur pipette and transferred to a 15 ml conical centrifuge tube (Corning). Media is added to bring the volume to 15 ml, gently mix the cells by inversion and centrifuge at 300×g for 15 min. The PBMC pellet is resuspended in a small volume of media, the cells are counted and adjusted to 6×10⁶ cells/ml.

For the cellular assay, 1.0 ml of the cell suspension is added to each well of a 24-well flat bottom tissue culture plate (Corning), 0.5 ml test compound dilution and 0.5 ml LPS solution (Sigma #L-3012; 20 ng/ml solution prepared in complete RPMI media; final LPS concentration 5 ng/ml). The 0.5 ml additions of test compound and LPS are usually sufficient to mix the contents of the wells. Three control mixtures are run per experiment, with either LPS alone, solvent vehicle control, and/or additional media to adjust the final culture volume to 2.0 ml. The cell cultures are incubated for 16-18 hr at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂.

At the end of the incubation period, cells are harvested and transferred to 15 ml conical centrifuge tubes. After centrifugation for 10 min at 200×g, supernatants are harvested and transferred to 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes. It may be noted that the cell pellet may be utilized for a biochemical evaluation of pre-IL-1β and/or mature IL-1β content in cytosol extracts by Western blotting or ELISA with pre-IL-1β specific antisera.

Isolation of Adherent Mononuclear Cells:

PBMC are isolated and prepared as described above. Media (1.0 ml) is first added to wells followed by 0.5 ml of the PBMC suspension. After a one hour incubation, plates are gently shaken and nonadherent cells aspirated from each well. Wells are then gently washed three times with 1.0 ml of media and final resuspended in 1.0 ml media. The enrichment for adherent cells generally yields 2.5-3.0×10⁵ cells per well. The addition of test compounds, LPS, cell incubation conditions and processing of supernatants proceeds as described above.

ELISA:

We have used Quantikine kits (R&D Systems) for measurement of mature IL-1β. Assays are performed according to the manufacturer's directions. Mature IL-1β levels of about 1-3 ng/ml in both PBMC and adherent mononuclear cell positive controls are observed. ELISA assays are performed on 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20 dilutions of supernatants from LPS-positive controls to select the optimal dilution for supernatants in the test panel.

The inhibitory potency of the compounds can be represented by an IC₅₀ value, which is the concentration of inhibitor at which 50% of mature IL-1β is detected in the supernatant as compared to the positive controls.

The skilled practitioner realizes that values obtained in cell assays, such as those described herein, can depend on multiple factors. The values may not necessarily represent fine quantitative results.

EXAMPLE 29 Pharmacokinetic Studies in the Mouse

Peptidyl ICE inhibitors are cleared rapidly with clearance rates greater than 100 μ/min/kg. Compounds with lower clearance rates have improved pharmacokinetic properties relative to peptidyl ICE inhibitors.

Clearance rates for compounds of this invention (μ/min/kg) may be obtained using the method described below:

Sample Preparation and Dosing

Compounds are dissolved in sterile TRIS solution (0.02M or 0.05M) at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. Where necessary to ensure a complete solution, the sample is first dissolved in a minimum of dimethylacetamide (maximum of 5% of total solution volume) then diluted with the TRIS solution.

The drug solution is administered to CD-1 mice (Charles River Laboratories—26-31 g) via the tail vein at a dose volume of 10 ml/kg giving a drug dose of 25 mg/kg, for example.

Mice may be dosed in groups (of 5, for example) for each timepoint (generally from 2 minutes to 2 hours) and then at the appropriate time the animals are anesthetized with halothane and the blood collected into individual heparinized tubes by jugular severance. The blood samples are cooled to 0° C. then the plasma separated and stored at −20° C. until assayed.

Bioassay

Drug concentration in the plasma samples are determined by HPLC analysis with UV or MS (ESP) detection. Reverse phase chromatography is employed using a variety of bonded phases from C1 to C18 with eluents composed of aqueous buffer/acetonitrile mixtures run under isocratic conditions.

Quantitation is by external standard methods with calibration curves constructed by spiking plasma with drug solutions to give concentrations in the range of 0.5 to 50 μg/ml.

Prior to analysis the plasma samples are deproteinated by the addition of acetonitrile, methanol, trichloroacetic acid or perchloric acid followed by centrifugation at 10,000 g for 10 minutes. Sample volumes of 20 μl to 50 μl are injected for analysis.

Representative Dosing and Sampling Procedure

The drug is dissolved in sterile 0.02M Tris to give a 2.5 mg/ml solution which is administered to 11 groups of 5 male CD-1 mice via the tail vein at a dose of 25 mg/kg. At each of the following timepoints: 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes a group of animals is anesthetized and the blood collected into heparinized tubes. After separation the plasma is stored at −20° C. until assayed.

Representative Assay

Aliquots of plasma (150 μl) are treated with 5% perchloric acid (5 μl) then mixed by vortexing and allowing to stand for 90 minutes prior to centrifugation. The resulting supernatant is separated and 20 μl is injected for HPLC analysis.

Representative HPLC Conditions

Column 100 × 4.6 mm Kromasil KR 100 5C4 Mobile Phase 0.1 m Tris pH 7.5 86% Acetonitrile 14% Flowrate 1 ml/min Detection UV at 210 nm Retention Time 3.4 mins

EXAMPLE 30

Peptidyl ICE inhibitors are cleared rapidly with clearance rates greater than 80 ml/min/kg. Compounds with lower clearance rates have improved pharmacokinetic properties relative to peptidyl ICE inhibitors.

The rate of clearance in the rat (ml/min/kg) for compounds of this invention may be obtained using the method described below:

In vivo Rat Clearance Assay

Representative Procedure

Cannulations of the jugular and carotid vessels of rats under anesthesia are performed one day prior to the pharmacokinetic study. M. J. Free, R. A. Jaffee; ‘Cannulation techniques for the collection blood and other bodily fluids’; in: Animal Models; pp. 480-495; Alexander, N. J. Ed.; Academic Press; (1978). Drug (10 mg/mL) is administered via the jugular vein in a vehicle usually consisting of: propylene glycol/saline, containing 100 mM sodium bicarbonate in a 1:1 ratio. Animals are dosed with 10-20 mg drug/kg and blood samples are drawn at 0, 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and 90 minutes from an indwelling carotid catheter. The blood is centrifuged to plasma and stored at −20° C. until analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis of data is performed by non-linear regression using standard software such as RStrip (MicroMath Software, UT) and/or Pcnonlin (SCI Software, NC) to obtain clearance values.

Representative Analytical

Rat plasma is extracted with an equal volume of acetonitrile (containing 0.1% TFA). Samples are then centrifuged at approximately 1,000×g and the supernatant analyzed by gradient HPLC. A typical assay procedure is described below.

200 μL of plasma is precipitated with 200 μL of 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in acetonitrile and 10 μL of a 50% aqueous zinc chloride solution, vortexed then centrifuged at ˜1000×g and the supernatant collected and analyzed by HPLC.

HPLC procedure: Column: Zorbax SB-CN (4.6 × 150 mm) (5μ particle size) Column temperature: 50° C. Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min Injection volume: 75 μL. Mobile Phase: A = 0.1% TFA in water and B = 100% acetonitrile Gradient employed: 100% A to 30% A in 15.5 min 0% A at 16 min 100% A at 19.2 min Wavelength: 214 nm

A standard curve is run at 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 μg/mL concentrations.

EXAMPLE 31 Whole Blood Assay for IL-1β Production

Whole blood assay IC₅₀ values for compounds of this invention are obtained using the method described below:

Purpose

The whole blood assay is a simple method for measuring the production of IL-1β (or other cytokines) and the activity of potential inhibitors. The complexity of this assay system, with its full complement of lymphoid and inflammatory cell types, spectrum of plasma proteins and red blood cells is an ideal in vitro representation of human in vivo physiologic conditions.

Materials

Pyrogen-free syringes (˜30 cc)

Pyrogen-free sterile vacuum tubes containing lyophilized Na₂EDTA (4.5 mg/10 ml tube)

Human whole blood sample (˜30-50 cc)

1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes

Test compound stock solutions (˜25 mM in DMSO or other solvent)

Endotoxin-free sodium chloride solution (0.9%) and HBSS Lipopolysaccharide (Sigma; Cat.# L-3012) stock solution at 1 mg/ml in HBSS

IL-1β ELISA Kit (R & D Systems; Cat # DLB50)

TNFα ELISA Kit (R & D Systems; Cat # DTA50)

Water bath or incubator

Whole Blood Assay Experimental Procedure

Set incubator or water bath at 30° C. Aliquot 0.25 ml of blood into 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes, making sure to invert the whole blood sample tubes after every two aliquots. Differences in replicates may result if the cells sediment and are not uniformly suspended. Use of a positive displacement pipette will also minimize differences between replicate aliquots.

Prepare drug dilutions in sterile pyrogen-free saline by serial dilution. A dilution series which brackets the apparent K_(i) for a test compound determined in an ICE inhibition assay is generally used for the primary compound screen. For extremely hydrophobic compounds, prepare compound dilutions in fresh plasma obtained from the same blood donor or in PBS-containing 5% DMSO to enhance solubility.

Add 25 μl test compound dilution or vehicle control and gently mix the sample. Then add 5.0 μl LPS solution (250 ng/ml stocked prepared fresh: 5.0 ng/ml final concentration LPS), and mix again. Incubate the tubes at 30° C. in a water bath for 16-18 hr with occasional mixing. Alternatively, the tubes can be placed in a rotator set at 4 rpm for the same incubation period. This assay should be set up in duplicate or triplicate with the following controls: negative control—no LPS; positive control—no test inhibitor; vehicle control—the highest concentration of DMSO or compound solvent used in the experiment. Additional saline is added to all control tubes to normalize volumes for both control and experimental whole blood test samples.

After the incubation period, whole blood samples are centrifuged for 10 minutes at ˜2000 rpm in the microfuge, plasma is transferred to a fresh microfuge tube and centrifuged at 1000×g to pellet residual platelets if necessary. Plasma samples may be stored frozen at −70° C. prior to assay for cytokine levels by ELISA.

ELISA

R & D Systems (614 McKinley Place N.E. Minneapolis, Minn. 55413) Quantikine kits may be used for measurement of IL-1β and TNF-α. The assays are performed according to the manufacturer's directions. IL-1β levels of ˜1-5 ng/ml in positive controls among a range of individuals may be observed. A 1:200 dilution of plasma for all samples is usually sufficient for experiments for ELISA results to fall on the linear range of the ELISA standard curves. It may be necessary to optimize standard dilutions if you observe differences in the whole blood assay. Nerad, J. L. et al., J. Leukocyte Biol., 52, pp. 687-692 (1992).

EXAMPLE 32 Inhibition of ICE Homologs

1. Isolation of ICE Homologs

Expression of TX in Insect Cells Using a Baculovirus Expression System.

Tx cDNA (C. Faucheu et al., EMBO, 14, p. 1914 (1995)) is subcloned into a modified pVL1393 transfer vector, co-transfected the resultant plasmid (pVL1393/TX) into insect cells with viral DNA and the recombinant baculovirus is identified. After the generation of high titer recombinant virus stock, the medium is examined for TX activity using the visible ICE assay. Typically, infection of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells at an MOI of 5 with recombinant virus stock result in a maximum expression after 48 hours of 4.7 μg/ml. ICE is used as a standard in the assay.

Amino terminal T7 tagged versions of ICE or TX are also expressed. Designed originally to assist the identification and purification of the recombinant proteins, the various constructs also allow examination of different levels of expression and of the relative levels of apoptosis experienced by the different homologs. Apoptosis in the infected Sf9 cells (examined using a Trypan Blue exclusion assay) is increased in the lines expressing ICE or TX relative to cells infected with the viral DNA alone.

Expression and Purification of N-terminally (His)₆-tagged CPP32 in E. coli.

A cDNA encoding a CPP32 (Fernades-Alnemri et al., supra, 1994) polypeptide starting at Ser (29) is PCR amplified with primers that add in frame XhoI sites to both the 5′ and 3′ ends of the cDNA and the resulting XhoI fragment ligated into a Xho I-cut pET-15b expression vector to create an in frame fusion with (his)₆ tag at the N-terminus of the fusion protein. The predicted recombinant protein starts with the amino acid sequence of MGSSHHHHHHSSGLVPRGSHMLE, where LVPRGS represents a thrombin cleavage site, followed by CPP32 starting at Ser (29). E. coli BL21(DE3) carrying the plasmid are grown to log phase at 30° C. and are then induced with 0.8 mM IPTG. Cells are harvested two hours after IPTG addition. Lysates are prepared and soluble proteins are purified by Ni-agarose chromatography. All of the expressed CPP32 protein would be in the processed form. N-terminal sequencing analysis should indicate that the processing has occurred at the authentic site between Asp (175) and Ser (176). Approximately 50 μg of CPP32 protein from 200 ml culture could be obtained. As determined by active site titration, the purified proteins are fully active. The protease preparations are also very active in vitro in cleaving PARP as well as the synthetic DEVD-AMC substrate (Nicholson et al., 1995).

2. Inhibition of ICE Homologs

The selectivity of a panel of reversible inhibitors for ICE homologs may be obtained. ICE enzyme assays are performed according to Wilson et al. (1994) using a YVAD-AMC substrate (Thornberry et al., 1992). Assay of TX activity is performed using the ICE substrate under identical conditions to ICE. Assay of CPP32 is performed using a DEVD-AMC substrate (Nicholson et al., 1995).

Second-order rate constants for inactivation of ICE and ICE homologs with irreversible inhibitors are obtained.

EXAMPLE 33 Inhibition of Apoptosis

Fas-Induced Apoptosis in U937 Cells

Compounds may be evaluated for their ability to block anti-Fas-induced apoptosis. Using RT-PCR, mRNA encoding ICE, TX, ICH-1, CPP32 and CMH-1 in unstimulated U937 cells may be detected. This cell line may be used for apoptosis studies. For example, U937 cells are seeded in culture at 1×10⁵ cells/ml and grown to ˜5×10⁶ cells/ml. For apoptosis experiments, 2×10⁶ cells are plated in 24-well tissue culture plates in 1 ml RPMI-1640-10% FBS and stimulated with 100 ng/ml anti-Fas antigen antibody (Medical and Biological Laboratories, Ltd.). After a 24 hr incubation at 37° C., the percentage of apoptotic cells is determined by FACS analysis using ApoTag reagents.

All compounds are tested initially at 20 μM and titrations are performed with active compounds to determine IC₅₀ values.

EXAMPLE 34 In vivo Acute Assay for Efficacy as Anti-inflammatory Agent

LPS-Induced IL-1β Production.

Efficacy is evaluated in CD1 mice (n=6 per condition, for example) challenged with LPS (20 mg/kg IP). The test compounds are prepared in olive oil:DMSO:ethanol (90:5:5) and administered by IP injection one hour after LPS. Blood is collected seven hours after LPS challenge. Serum IL-1β levels are measured by ELISA.

Compounds may also be administered by oral gavage to assess absorption. Compounds administered orally that inhibit IL-1β secretion are suggestive of the potential oral efficacy of those compounds as ICE inhibitors and thus as anti-inflammatory agents.

EXAMPLE 35 Measurement of Blood Levels of Prodrugs

Mice are administered a p.o. (oral) dose of compounds (50 mg/kg, for example) prepared in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose. Blood samples are collected at 1 and 7 hours after dosing. Serum is extracted by precipitation with an equal volume of acetonitrile containing 2% formic acid followed by centrifugation. The supernatant is analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) with a detection level of 0.03 to 3 μg/ml. Detectable blood levels are thus determined.

EXAMPLE 36 ICE Inhibition Assays—IGIF

IGIF may be substituted for IL-1 in the ICE inhibition assays described in Example 28. Thus, the ability of ICE inhibitors to decrease IGIF production may be determined.

For example, to run the human PBMC assay, human buffy coat cells may be obtained from blood donors and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated by centrifugation in LeukoPrep tubes (Becton-Dickinson, Lincoln Park, N.J.). PBMC are added (3×10⁶/well) to 24 well Corning tissue culture plates and after 1 hr incubation at 37° C., non-adherent cells are removed by gently washing. Adherent mononuclear cells are stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) with or without ICE inhibitor in 2 ml RPMI-1640-10% FBS. After 16-18 hr incubation at 37° C., IGIF and IFN- are quantitated in culture supernatants by ELISA.

EXAMPLE 37

The antiviral efficacy of compounds may be evaluated in various in vitro and in vivo assays. For example, compounds may be tested in in vitro viral replication assays. In vitro assays may employ whole cells or isolated cellular components. In vivo assays include animal models for viral diseases. Examples of such animal models include, but are not limited to, rodent models for HBV or HCV infection, the Woodchuck model for HBV infection, and chimpanzee model for HCV infection.

ICE inhibitors may also be evaluated in animal models for dietary alcohol-induced disease.

EXAMPLES 38-59

Examples 38-56 (Table 3) were prepared by methods similar to the methods used to prepare Examples 2 or 3. Examples 57-59 (Table 3) were prepared by methods similar to the methods used to prepare Example 1.

TABLE 3 Ex. Structure 38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

EXAMPLE 60 ICE Inhibition

We obtained inhibition constants (K_(i)) and IC₅₀ values for compounds of this invention using the methods described herein (see Examples 28 and 31). Table 4 lists this data for examples 11, 38-56 and 58-59.

TABLE 4 UV-Visible Cell PBMC Whole human blood Example Ki (nM) IC50 (nM) IC50 (nM) 11 140 9000 38 590 39 260 >20000 40 100 41 350 42 1200 43 1700 44 2400 45 450 46 180 47 1500 48 2300 49 48 >8000 50 40 >8000 51 1000 52 1500 53 700 54 300 55 7500 56 135 58 48 >20000 59 60 9200

EXAMPLE 61 Mouse Carrageenan Peritoneal Inflammation

Representative Procedure

Inflammation is induced in mice with an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 10 mg carrageenan in 0.5 ml of saline (Griswold et al., Inflammation, 13, pp. 727-739 (1989)). Drugs are administered by oral gavage in ethanol/PEG/water, β-cyclodextrin, labrosol/water or cremophor/water vehicle. The mice are sacrificed at 4 hours post carrageenan administration, then injected IP with 2 ml of saline containing 5 U/ml heparin. After gentle massage of the peritoneum, a small incision is made, the contents collected and volume recorded. Samples are kept on ice until centrifuged (130×g, 8 mins at 4° C.) to remove cellular material, and the resultant supernatant stored at −20° C. IL-1β levels in the peritoneal fluid are determined by ELISA.

EXAMPLE 62 Type II Collagen-induced Arthritis

Representative Procedure

Type II collagen-induced arthritis is established in male DBA/1J mice at described Wooley and Geiger (Wooley, P. H., Methods in Enzymology, 162, pp. 361-373 (1988) and Geiger, T., Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 11, pp. 515-522 (1993)). Chick sternum Type II collagen (4 mg/kg in 10 mM acetic acid) is emulsified with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) by repeated passages (400) between two 10 ml glass syringes with a gauge 16 double-hub needle. Mice are immunized by intradermal injection (50 1; 100 1 CII per mouse) of collagen emulsion 21 days later at the contra-lateral side of the tail base. Drugs are administered twice a day (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage approximately 7 h apart. Vehicles that may be used include ethanol/PEG/water, β-cyclodextrin, labrosol/water or cremophor/water. Drug treatments are initiated within 2 h of the CII booster immunization. Inflammation is scored on a 1 to 4 scale of increasing severity on the two front paws and the scores are added to give the final score.

EXAMPLE 63 In vivo Bioavailability Determination

Representative Procedure

The drugs (10-100 mg/kg) are dosed orally to rats (10 mL/kg) in ethanol/PEG/water, β-cyclodextrin, labrosol/water or cremophor/water. Blood samples are drawn from the carotid artery at 0.25, 0.50, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours after dosing, centrifuged to plasma and stored at −70° C. until analysis. Aldehyde concentrations are determined using an enzymatic assay. Pharmacokinetic analysis of data is performed by non-linear regression using RStrip (MicroMath Software, UT). Drug availability values are determined as follows: (AUC of drug after oral prodrug dosing/AUC of drug after i.v. dosing of drug)×(dose i.v./dose p.o.)×100%.

The data of the examples above demonstrate that compounds according to this invention display inhibitory activity towards IL-1β Converting Enzyme and that ICE controls IGIF and IFN-γ levels.

Insofar as the compounds of this invention are able to inhibit ICE in vitro and furthermore, may be delivered orally to mammals, they are of evident clinical utility for the treatment of IL-1-, apoptosis-, IGIF-, and IFN-γ-mediated diseases. These tests are predictive of the compounds ability to inhibit ICE in vivo.

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it is apparent that our basic constructions may be altered to provide other embodiments which utilize the products and processes of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound represented by formula (III):

wherein:

 provided that if R⁵ is —OH, then Y may also be:

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by —R⁴; R¹ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -cycloalkyl, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl is optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷; R² is a bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —OC(O)—, —N(H)C(O)—, —N(H)S(O)₂—, —N(H)C(O)C(O)—, —CH═CHC(O)—, —OCH₂C(O)—, —N(H)CH₂C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)S(O)₂—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)CH₂C(O)—, or —C(O)C(═NOR¹¹)—, provided that when R² is not a bond, R² is bonded to the NH attached to the 7-membered ring through carbonyl or sulfonyl; R³ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂,

R⁴ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, —C(O)alkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂N(H)alkyl, or CH₂N(alkyl)₂; R⁵ is —OH, —OR⁸, or —N(H)OH; R⁶ is —H, —CH₂OR⁹, —CH₂SR¹⁰, —CH₂NHR⁹, —CH₂N(R⁹)R¹², —CHN₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —C(O)N(R¹¹)R¹², —R¹³, or —R¹⁴; R⁸ is -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or alkylheterocycle; R⁹ is —H, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkylheteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or —P(O)R¹⁵R¹⁶; R¹⁰ is -alkylaryl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; each R¹¹ and R¹² is independently —H, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; R¹³ is -alkylaryl, -alkenylaryl, -alkynylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; R¹⁴ is

 wherein any hydrogen bound to (i) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷ and any hydrogen bound to (ii) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷, R¹⁸ or R²⁰; each R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is independently —H, —OH, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —Oalkyl, —Oaryl, —Oheteroaryl, —Oalkylaryl, or —Oalkylheteroaryl; R¹⁷ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —C(O)H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂alkyl, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S(O)₂N(H)alkyl, —S(O)₂N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, or —C(O)alkyl; R¹⁸ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-alkylaryl, —O-alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)aryl, —N(aryl)₂, —N(H)heteroaryl, —N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylaryl, —N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S-aryl, —S-heteroaryl, —S-alkylaryl, —S-alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkyheteroaryl, —CO₂aryl, —CO₂heteroaryl, —CO₂alkylaryl, —CO₂alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(H)aryl, —C(O)N(aryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂-aryl, —S(O)₂-heteroaryl, —S(O)₂-alkylaryl, —S(O)₂alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)aryl, —S(O₂)N(H)heteroaryl, —S(O₂)N(H)alkylaryl, —SO)₂N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(aryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(H)(heteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(H)aryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(aryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂; R¹⁹ is —H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle; R²⁰ is -alkyl-R¹⁸; m is 0 or 1; and X is O or S.
 2. A compound represented by formula (IV),

wherein Y is:

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by —R⁴; R¹ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl, or -cycloalkyl, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl is optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷; R² is a bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —OC(O)—, —N(H)C(O)—, —N(H)S(O)₂—, —N(H)C(O)C(O)—, —CH═CHC(O)—, —OCH₂C(O)—, —N(H)CH₂C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)S(O)₂—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)CH₂C(O)—, or —C(O)C(═NOR¹¹)—, provided that when R² is not a bond, R² is bonded to the NH attached to the 7-membered ring through carbonyl or sulfonyl; R³ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂,

R⁴ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H) (alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O₂)alkyl, —C(O)alkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂N(H)alkyl, or CH₂N(alkyl)₂; R⁶ is —H, —CH₂OR⁹, —CH₂SR¹⁰, —CH₂N(H)R⁹, —CH₂N(R⁹)R¹², —CHN₂, —CH₂F, —CH₂Cl, —C(O)N(R¹¹)R¹², —R¹³, or —R¹⁴; R⁷ is —C(O)alkyl, —C(O)cycloalkyl, —C(O)alkyenyl,—C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)heterocycle, or —C(O)alkylheterocycle; R⁸ is -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or alkylheterocycle; R⁹ is —H, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkylheteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or —P(O)R¹⁵R¹⁶; R¹⁰ is -alkylaryl or -alkylheteroaryl; each R¹¹ and R¹² is independently —H, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; R¹³ is -alkylaryl, -alkenylaryl, -alkynylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; R¹⁴ is

 wherein any hydrogen bound to (i) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷ and any hydrogen bound to (ii) is optionally replaced with R¹⁷, R¹⁸ or R²⁰; each R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ is independently —H, —OH, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroalkyl, —Oalkyl, —Oaryl, —Oheteroaryl, —Oalkylaryl, or —Oalkylheteroaryl; R¹⁷ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, —S(O₂)NH₂, —C(O)H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H)alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂alkyl, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S(O)₂N(H)alkyl, —S(O)₂N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, —S(O)₂alkyl, or —C(O)alkyl; R¹⁸ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, —O-aryl, —O-heteroaryl, —O-alkylaryl —O-alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)aryl, —N(aryl)₂, —N(H)heteroaryl, —N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylaryl, —N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S-aryl, —S-heteroaryl, —S-alkylaryl, —S-alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)aryl, —C(O)heteroaryl, —C(O)alkylaryl, —C(O)alkyheteroaryl, —CO₂aryl, —CO₂heteroaryl, —CO₂alkylaryl, —CO₂alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(H)aryl, —C(O)N(aryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂aryl, —S(O)₂heteroaryl, —S(O)₂alkylaryl, —S(O)₂alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)aryl, —S(O)₂N(H)heteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(H)alkylaryl, —S(O₂)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —S(O)₂N(aryl)₂, —S(O₂)N(heteroaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylaryl)₂, —S(O)₂N(alkylheteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(H)aryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)heteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkylheteroaryl, —N(H)C(O)N(aryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(heteroaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylaryl)₂, —N(H)C(O)N(alkylheteroaryl)₂; R¹⁹ is —H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle; R²⁰ is -alkyl-R¹⁸; m is 0 or 1; and X is O or S.
 3. The compound according to claims 1 or 2, wherein: C is benzo.
 4. The compound according to claim 3, wherein: Y is

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴; R¹ is -phenyl, -naphthyl, or -isoquinolinyl, each optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷, wherein R¹⁷ is —OH, —NH₂, —Cl, —F, —Oalkyl, or —N(alkyl)₂; R² is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)C(O)—, or —CH₂C(O)—; R³ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -phenyl, -2-pyridinyl, -3-pyridinyl, -4-pyridinyl, or -thiazolyl; R⁴ is -fluoro or -chloro; R⁵ is —OH; R⁶ is —H or —R¹⁴, wherein X=O; provided that when —R¹⁴ is (i), R¹⁷ is —Oalkyl, —F or —Cl, and provided that when —R¹⁴ is (ii), R¹⁸ is -aryl, wherein aryl is phenyl; R⁷ is —C(O)alkyl; R⁸ is -methyl, -ethyl, -n-propyl, -isopropyl, -cyclopentyl, -phenethyl, or -benzyl; X is O; and m is
 0. 5. The compound according to claim 4 selected from:


6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1-5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.
 7. A method for treating a disease selected from an inflammatory disease, osteoarthritis, glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, graft vs host disease, sepsis, or septic shock in a patient comprising the step of administering to said patient a pharmaceutical composition according to claim
 6. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the disease is osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis.
 9. A process for preparing a compound represented by formula (V):

wherein: R²¹ is:

C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴; R²² is:

each R²³ is independently -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle; R¹ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -cycloalkyl, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl is optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷; R² is a bond, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —OC(O)—, —N(H)C(O)—, —N(H)S(O)₂—, —N(H)C(O)C(O)—, —CH═CHC(O)—, —OCH₂C(O)—, —N(H)CH₂C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)—, —N(R¹⁹)S(O)₂—, —N(R¹⁹)C(O)C(O)—, or —N(R¹⁹)CH₂C(O), or —C(O)C(═NOR¹¹)—, provided that when R² is not a bond, R² is bonded to the NH attached to the 7-membered ring through carbonyl or sulfonyl; R³ is -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkyl, —N(alkyl)₂,

R⁴ is —OH, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO₂, —CN, —NH₂, —CO₂H, —C(O)NH₂, —N(H)C(O)H, —N(H)C(O)NH₂, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -perfluoroalkyl, —O-alkyl, —N(H) (alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —C(O)N(H)alkyl, —C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —N(H)C(O)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(H)alkyl, —N(H)C(O)N(alkyl)₂, —S-alkyl, -S(O₂)alkyl, —C(O)alkyl, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂N(H)alkyl, or CH₂N(alkyl)₂; R¹¹ is —H, -alkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -cycloalkyl, -alkylaryl, or -alkylheteroaryl; R¹⁹ is —H, -alkyl, -cycloalkyl, -aryl, -heteroaryl, -alkylaryl, -alkylheteroaryl, or -alkylheterocycle; and m is 1 or 2; comprising the steps of: a) reacting a compound represented by formula (VI): R²¹—OH, wherein R²¹ is as defined above, with a compound represented by formula (VII):

 wherein R²³ is as defined above, in the presence of an inert solvent, triphenylphoshine, a nucleophilic scavenger, and tetrakis-triphenyl phosphine palladium(0) at ambient temperature under an inert atmosphere; and b) adding to the mixture formed in step a), HOBT and EDC.
 10. The process according to claim 9, wherein: C is benzo.
 11. The process according to claim 10, wherein: C is benzo, wherein any hydrogen bound to any ring atom is optionally replaced by R⁴; R¹ is phenyl, naphthyl, or isoquinolinyl, each optionally singly or multiply substituted with R¹⁷, wherein R¹⁷ is —OH, —NH₂, —Cl, —F, —Oalkyl, or —N(alkyl)₂; R² is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —C(O)C(O)—, or —CH₂C(O)—; R³ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, phenyl, or thiazolyl; R⁴ is -fluoro or -chloro; and m is
 1. 12. The process according to any one of claims, 9 and 11 wherein the inert solvent is CH₂Cl₂, DMF, or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and DMF.
 13. The process according to any one of claims 9-11, wherein the nucleophilic scavenger is dimedone, morpholine, or dimethyl barbituric acid.
 14. The process according to claim 13, wherein the nucleophilic scavenger is dimethyl barbituric acid.
 15. The process according to claim 13, wherein the inert solvent is CH₂Cl₂, DMF, or a mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and DMF.
 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the nucleophilic scavenger is dimethyl barbituric acid. 